Apple accused of monopolizing storage on its devices with iCloud in proposed class-action lawsuit

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A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed against tech giant Apple in the Northern District of California, alleging that it has monopolized digital storage for its customers, favoring iCloud over all rivals. This has supposedly made it impossible for potential cloud competitors to offer Apple’s device holders a full-service cloud storage solution.

 

Apple’s iCloud, the company’s cloud storage solution, is at the center of this controversy. The lawsuit claims that Apple achieved iCloud’s dominance by “rigging the competitive playing field.” By placing “surgical technological restraints” on the types of files other cloud providers can host, Apple has made it so only iCloud can offer Apple device users full-service storage. This has allowed Apple to charge higher fees in the absence of “any real threat to iCloud’s dominance.”

 

The proposed class, represented by Hagens Berman, would cover tens of millions of customers in the US. While iPhone and iPad users do have the option to store certain types of files with non-Apple cloud storage providers, there are some things — including app data and device settings — that only iCloud has permission to host. This leaves users to choose either the “unattractive” option of juggling multiple cloud storage accounts to fully cover their backup needs, or iCloud’s full-service convenience.

 

The case has just been filed and hasn’t yet been granted class action status. However, the lawsuit has already sparked a heated debate online, with many questioning Apple’s business practices and the fairness of its iCloud pricing.

 

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you believe that Apple’s iCloud practices are anti-competitive, or is this just the cost of convenience in the digital age? Share your views in the comments below.

 

 

Read more:

• https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/apple-faces-antitrust-class-action-alleging-icloud-monopoly
• https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/03/04/0234211/propose-class-action-alleges-apples-cloud-storage-is-an-illegal-monopoly
• https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37447136/apple-faces-class-action-lawsuit-for-alleged-icloud-monopoly-they-are-generating-almost-pure-profit

 

 

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